Moving towards ordination again. The mind is resisting for stupid reasons, but curiosity got the better of me on one particular matter, which I'm not sure has been touched on here before:

What happens to Western monks who disrobe, whether in Asia or in the West?

Do they pick up their old life where they left off?Do they start anew?Do they move to a different life of service?

I'd be curious to hear from people who are, or know of, former monks and how they retransitioned into lay life, what they did for a living, how they approached their suspended relationships or formed new ones etc?

There have been several ex monks living around here over the past few years.

Earning a living can be a problem, especially if they've been a monk for a long time as it doesn't really do much for your cv.

Some are teaching meditation, some trying to earn a living doing so, others finding what work they have the skills to do handyman work etc.

Most have relationships.

"Right effort is effort with wisdom. Because where there is wisdom, there is interest. The desire to know something is wisdom at work. Being mindful is not difficult. But it’s difficult to be continuously aware. For that you need right effort. But it does not require a great deal of energy. It’s relaxed perseverance in reminding yourself to be aware. When you are aware, wisdom unfolds naturally, and there is still more interest." - Sayadaw U Tejaniya

I know four western ex-monks. All three adapted back to lay life, and all three are still very involved in the dhamma, and visit the monastery fairly often.One runs his own successful landscaping/gardening business.One is an investment portfolio manager... or something like that. Big business, big money.One is a school-teacher who rides a really nice motorcycle.And the fourth is currently travelling around trying to find a monastery he likes so he can re-ordain.

Then, saturated with joy, you will put an end to suffering and stress.SN 9.11